Citation: Chbosky, S. (1999). The perks of being a wallflower. MTV Books.
Told through a series of letters written sometime in the early 1990s, The Perks of Being a Wallflower follows freshman high school student Charlie, a self-described wallflower, who is befriended by two seniors and begins to realize some unsettling truths about his past.
Though The Perks of Being a Wallflower has frequently appeared on the list of banned books due to its discussions of mental health, sexual assault, abuse, substance use, and suicide, all of which require trigger warnings, the novel has struck a chord with teens, especially teens going through similar situations to Charlie’s. The content may deal with mature subject matter, but it's important for teens, whether they've experienced such traumas or not, to see a narrative that demonstrates hope. It is through the connections that Charlie makes, both with his friends and family, that he can begin the healing process and reclaim his life.